I Will Stand Up For You (The Suicide Mission)

Major Phanan looked over at the Captain and swallowed hard the lump that formed in his throat. "Captain. We need to return to Moira."

The entire room's eyes were no fixated on the Marine Major.

Devore laughed. "You had me for a minute, Major. I thought you said we had to go back."

"I did."

Phanan's sigh was visible to everyone, and, observing silently from her seat, Rashad realized that it must have been regarding Marine Lieutenat Williams who had been captured in the battle of two weeks previously. Romulan-Bajoran's eyebrows rose. She was going to have to risk her life, but a successful rescue appeared impossible in any other way.

"May I add something, Captain ?" The Intelligence Officer rose from her seat, as Captain Devore slightly frowned. "Major Phanan is right. We need to go back to Moira, because the Zeirg captured one of the Major's crew, Lieutenant Williams. From what I have seen from my service on this ship so far, it is not in the tradition here to leave our crewmates behind. There's more," she continued as a dozen pairs of eyes were now boring through her. "I am privy to the classified information regarding what happens to the captured aliens on that planet. Due to the nature and sensitivity of this information, I cannot discuss it with anyone present here, but the Captain. It suffices to say, however, that in order to ensure the success of the mission, I must be part of the rescue team."

The stares turned to the looks of shock. "What are you trying to do now, Rashad? Kill yourself?" There was a look of confusion and dismay on the Captain's face.

"Sir, we really have to discuss this," replied Rashad in a polite Vulcanoid manner. "I am part-Romulan and would not deliberately endanger my life unless I felt it was necessary.

"All right, Rashad." Captain Devore turned to the rest of the senior officers assembled. "You now all know what you are doing, so dismissed. Commander Rashad, and Major Phanan stay behind to discuss this matter further. I want to include Captain Evans in this. Computer, lock doors," ordered the Captain as everyone but named officers walked out of the conference room. "Okay, Rashad," he turned to the slightly sweating Romulan-Bajoran, "go on with what you wanted to tell me."

"What about Evans ?"

"Computer open a secure channel to the Ronin."

<Channel Open.>

[Captain Devore. What can I do for you?] Captain Evans asked curiously.

"Ryan, I want you to hear this briefing. Make sure your end is secure.."

[Just a moment. Okay go ahead.]

Just a moment Captain's.." She nodded. ".....Computer, initiate secondary communications lock down. Authorisation T`Kul beta 4-6-2."

<Authorisation accepted. Complying... The quarters are now on complete secondary communication lockdown.>

"What I am about to tell you does not emanate from me, and is not to leave this room unless you do want me to be sanctioned by my superiors. Little is known about the Z`Teruls or the Zeirg, however what is known, is that whoever they manage to capture is somehow biologically modified or infested, brainwashing them to be additions to the broods army."

"How does this happen?" Devore was by now very attentive to what the Section 31 operative had to say. "And why have I not found anything about that information in your computer two weeks ago?"

"That information is encrypted with the code that I myself had designed. Some of the information that you got had only minimal encryption level by the standards we use. Anyway, Captain, what is known is that many years ago, one of Section 31s highest ranking flag officers, Admiral Friedricks, was captured by the brood while on a classified mission to the sector. The mission itself was so highly classified that only a few top ranking brass knew of it. I don't understand how he got out here so far. Once Section 31 lost contact with him, we attempted numerous rescue attempts, but none were successful. Starfleet Intelligence, as well as our organization, lost contact with all of the officers in the process. There is only one hope of recovering a person once he has been transformed. As of now there is now way to reverse the process, but we would like to try. There is only one civilization possessing the secret to breaking the Zeirg transformation, and that is. the Proletarians."

"Then what are our options, Commander ?" This time it was Major Phanan who gave Rashad an intense look. "Are you telling us that the only thing we can do is sit and wait ?"

"Not quite, Major..." One of her Vulcanoid eyebrows rose again. "There may be a way to summon the Proletarians to our help. There is a trick to it, however: it has to be done from the surface. That is why it is essential that I accompany your marines on this mission."

At the sound of the latter words, Captain Devore visibly paled. "That is out of the question, Rashad! You have already endangered this crew once by not providing me with access to the information regarding the enemy presence in this area. I cannot allow you to endanger this ship any further by putting yourself at risk of capture or annihilation. You are a spy, and I am not thrilled about that fact, but whether I want it or not this ship, this crew needs you. Especially now."

"Hmm." Both of Rashad's eyebrows now rose as she thought for a moment. "Then there is only one other thing I can suggest, sir. Major Phanan," she turned to the marine, "it is essential that we stay in contact throughout the operation. Any normal communicator may fail or betray your location to the enemy. However, there is something that will allow you to keep in touch with me 24-hours a day and will cut through any interference. It is one of my own inventions that has been adopted by our organization when I was forcibly recruited by the then Admiral Beard. It is referred to as the transceiver graft, and is inserted under the forearm skin of the user. I should have some of those available inside my quarters if not at the intelligence office."

[Captain there may be another way,] interjected Captain Evans.

"What is that Ryan ?" Devore said turning.

[I can take the Ronin to the Proletarians and see if we can enlist their help.]

"Now that is something I am more apted to go along with." Devore said with a smile.

"Captain, " Rashad fought. "We must rescue Williams. If anything we must so that we can derive a reversal process."

"At what risk Commander? You, my Marines, the ship ?" Devore shouted.

"Captain," Phanan interjected. "I understand you concern, but one of my men and yours too are still down there and if there is a possibility to save him then we must try no matter the cost."

"Jon, you are a brave man, but bravery will get you killed." Devore said.

"I live to serve.. Marines all the way."

"You are such a leatherneck." Devore said with a smile. "Fine I want a battle plan on my desk in one hour. Captain Evans. Do you think you can find them ? I want to try all options."

[Yes sir. However I need to know more about these Proletarians like where I might be able to find them.] Evans said looking at Rashad.

"Computer display Rashad Gamma Zeta one." Rashad said pointing the view screen. On the screen a large cybernetic humanoid appeared on the screen. "This is a member of the Proletariat called a Zealot. They make up the bulk of their defence force. They are extremely strong with powerful plasma blades that can shred through regular deuterium in no time. They each have personal shields that are controlled by a shield generator located on their back."

"Formidable," Phanan said.

"Quite." Rashad responded. "Next." On the screen was now a creature that had a eight legs and the upper torso of a zealot. "This is a Dragoon. It is believed that the Proletariat 'recycle' their dead. Being cybernetically enhanced, they probably have the capability of regeneration. They take the 'life force' of the Zealot and put it into another creature which is that much more powerful. They too have a shield generator."

"Wow. I am surprised the Borg haven't come around here."

"They have. Didn't stand a chance." a voice said from behind. It was 'Q'. Everyone jumped, Phanan pulled his phaser and Rashad stepped back. "Marc come now. Look at them. They are magnificent, the embodiment of perfection. You are going to attack them ?"

"No," Devore said trying to stay calm. "We are going to get their help."

"So you think. You know you can end all this all you have to do is give in to me and join me."

"I told you once before I will not."

"Just for a while. I will then send your people home then you and I can go home."

"'Q', I will not ever join you. I would rather die."

"You know Marc." 'Q' said crossing her arms. "If I wasn't such a patient lady I would have turned you into a Lyerian frog."

"If that will get you off my back then do it. I am not ever going to be with you."

Angrily she glared at Marc. "Before this whole thing ends I will have you."

"If you are so impotent, then why don't you just take me." Her glared became even more intense, and finally she screamed and left. "Captain Evans. Find the Proliterians. Leviathan out." He tapped his combadge. "Cadet McCaffee. Set a course back towards Moira full impulse."

[Aye sir.]

"I am sorry Commander. Your briefing is over. We've got work to do."

"Understood." Rashad said.